The leader of Rochford District Council has rejected calls to ditch plans for future homes.

A petition was launched by the Rochford Supporters group, calling for the council’s local plan, which allocates areas for development, to be set aside and a new one drawn up.

It currently has more than 800 signatures amid growing concern over the number of homes being built in the district without adequate investment in new schools, GP surgeries and roads.

Rejecting the call, council leader Mike Steptoe, said: “Leaving aside for the moment the very real challenges faced by the council in providing affordable homes for the many families in temporary accommodation and on the housing register, the Core Strategy and Allocations Plan were found to be sound following public examination. In addition, the council successfully defended legal challenges to both plans through the High Court.

“I do understand concerns. It is certainly the case that work on the new local plan has a focus on ensuring that we can deliver improvements over and above those required simply to mitigate the impact of new housing.”

Mr Steptoe said contributions from developers included £10million from housing in Hall Road, to be used for a new school and healthcare.

He added scrapping the plan would have consequences for the council. He said: “There is no doubt that the landowners and developers seeking to bring forward an allocated site, against the backdrop of the certainty provided for by an adopted plan, will seek compensation from the council. In all conscience I cannot support a report being presented to the council suggesting consideration be given to this request when the result would be a substantial claim for compensation which could put the financial stability of the council at risk.

Campaigners have been particularly concerned about Bloor Homes’ plans for 660 homes on land off Ashingdon Road, but Mr Steptoe said: “The status of the South East Ashingdon site would not change – it would remain as a site within the urban envelope and would not be restored to the green belt.”

Roger Gardner a member of the group, said: “The council said everyone knew about the local plan but I have lived here for 40 years and I wasn’t notified.

“Homes are going up in Wakering and Canewdon as well as Ashingdon and now there is another big estate north of Brays Lane. There are no supermarkets. So all these people are going to have to travel.”